“A miraculous journey of hope,” is the tagline from the film “Lost in Woonsocket.” Claymont native Thea Maichle produced the documentary that tells the story of two alcoholics, Mark and Normand, living in filthy conditions in a tent in the woods of Woonsocket, R.I.

The feature-length film was inspired by the A&E reality television series, “Random 1” in which creators John Chester and Andre Miller took their film crew onto city streets throughout the U.S. and choose some random person to help.

According to an interview with John Chester on revver.com, “That means we needed to make a connection between them and someone else, one that’s more substantiated and can’t be fixed with just a dollar.”

After the Random 1 episode that focuses on the two alcoholics, Chester and Miller decided that they needed to go back and continue the story of what happens to Mark and Normand as they struggle through recovery, relapse, and reunion with their families.

At the acclaimed South by Southwest Film Festival in 2007, “Lost in Woonsocket” was shown to three packed theaters and received standing ovations after each showing.

Maichle, 27, says that documentary work is “not glamorous, but it is wonderfully interesting.” She says that she had always had an interest in the entertainment industry, which is why she graduated from Marymount University with a communications degree. She had also always gravitated towards helping people. However, Maichle says, “I never in a million years thought I would be involved in a project that brought those two worlds together.”

Much of her inspiration comes from her parents, Rich and Bonnie Maichle. She said that her mom set a great example for her by being a very caring person who ran a daycare as she was growing up in order to stay close to home and be involved with her family. Her father is a social worker and a deacon at Holy Rosary Church on Philadelphia Pike in Wilmington.

Maichle, Chester, Miller and the rest of the “Random 1” crew believe that every day people can go out and help people. “If we connect people with other people, beautiful things can happen.”

Maichle, who now lives in Santa Monica, Calif., says that the motto of the film, “You’ll never look at strangers the same way again,” is true. “You never know when taking the time to connect, what will come of it. It will change you.”

She continues to combine her film work and her caring attitude by serving on the staff of the fledgling non-profit organization Lost and Found in America (LAFIA). LAFIA was formed to use media to highlight the efforts of individuals and organizations that are committed to helping those in need in their communities.

LAFIA partners with Crossroads of Rhode Island, Faces and Voices of Recovery, Mobile Loaves and Fishes and The River Ministry of Rhode Island. They offer the screening of “Lost In Woonsocket” and profits from the sale of special edition DVDs as a fundraising tool for recovery, homeless, or faith-based organizations. Individuals can also show the film in their homes to encourage others to speak up, volunteer or donate for homelessness and recovery programs.

LAFIA sponsors Normand to travel around the country with the film where he shares candidly with the audience. He and director John Chester will speak after this weekend’s showings to benefit Sojourner’s Place in Wilmington.

Sojourner’s Place, directed by Sister Jeanne Cashman, is a residential program that houses about 45 homeless men and women. The program is funded by churches, private donations and by grants from the city and county. Sojourner’s Place seeks to connect the people in the program to housing, rehab and other resources needed to get them back on their feet.

Screening dates and locations are Friday, May 9, at 8:00 p.m., St Elizabeth's High School, 1500 Cedar St. Wilmington, DE 19805, and Saturday, May 10, at 7:30 p.m., St Mark's High School, 2501 Pike Creek Rd Wilmington, DE 19808. Tickets can be purchased at the door for $10.

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NOTE: “Lost in Woonsocket” contains raw language and curse words.